Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-04-23

- was AiiN ius"CI tidI 81 Lullcieu IN
the little white envelope in nv hand.
She ran down gayly, humming tune.
She returned with very serious face.
A note was in her hand. with nv name
upon it in Harry's writing. but her ex-
preston frightened me so that caught
NV breath.
What is it, Enie,'' l asked.
Ethel" she sa d. very sadly, II
must tell YOU, though you'll hate me.
The boy who brought that note brought
one for Mrs. Bray"
was so relieved that burst into q
fit of laughter.
"Why should that trouble mer'
inquired.
Don't You see your Harry must have
written both?" she asked.
No" 81 !, II do not. | am not
jealous of Harry"
Then broke the seal, and these were
the words / read:
Madam: / have another engagement and
am obliged to decline yours.
II. HEATucorE.
put the old billet down with
strange chill at my heart. What had
done to deserve this? What i i it
mean? What should l do? A note
! Ike this from 4 betrothed lover from
whom I had parted with the tenderest
caressess Ellie saw that l was in
trouble and forebore to question me.
but she glided ont Of the room aud did
not return for an hour. When she
came back her face was wet with tears.
"You cannot tell me what it is?"
she asked.
IIuswered:
Il must have offended him uncon-
sciously. can t say an timing more"
When the dinner bill rang l went
down stairs as usual. Passing the
parlor door Isaw Mrs. Bray. She was
reading u note aloud.
al declare. | never was so sur
prsed." she said. Il thought he was
in love with that little girl. All! there
she comes"
She hurried away rs she spoke, in as
sumcd terror. The next moment /
saw Effie speak to her and VIII tie
paper pass INTO her hand. Whatever
it was she knew and she would tell me.
She did. That evening she brought a
letter INTO my roOm-a letter that Mrs.
Bray had exhibited To all the house-a
love-lctter from Harry Heathcote. ten
derer and more passionate than any
he had ever written to me. and W tn
his undoubted signature at its foot. 1t
was no forgery. even knew the
paper, rare and costly kind. with his
own monogram upon it. 1t began
Darling and ended Your own
Harry" Id Il not scream. did not
swoon: 1 faced the terri BILE truth as
best l might. She had won him from
me. but was nowise TO blar7e. vas
true. l was sinned against, not s.n-
ming, and the blow should not crush
me.
did not allow myself TO play the
mourner. Contempt of my io"er had
taken the place of love.
He should know that did not grieve
for him; and asked good old Mr.. Hal
loran TO be my escort, and went to the
party next evening with q sm le on my
face, though NV heart ached sorely.
and life seemed cold and cruel thing
to me.
They told rue was CAV that night.
l chaited, | ate and drank. danced
whenever | was asked 10. All the
while the words of that letter Harry
had written to Mrs. Bray were in my
hoart.
When old Mr.. Halloran took me
home he told me hal ''wearied N.Y.
self out, and was beginning to feel it,
But was strong ct.
Tomorrow | had work to do that
would demand all my strength-to take
the matter into my own hand, TO write
an adieu to Charlie. send him back the
gifts and letters IN my possession ana
ask mine of him. As | went up stairs
old Mrs. Morton looked out of her
room.
Your bean was here tonight" :" she
said. Il expect he was cut up 10 find
YOU out. but Mrs. Bray took care Of
him."
tried to langh. All my life l felt l
must now laugh when | had rather
cry. must hide my heart. No one
should ever call me disappointed
woman. No one should speak OF me
as one who had been Tilted.
l wrapped myself in NV dressing
gown and sat before my tire. l could
not sleep. 1 could not even lie down.
The clock struck u. /, ?. and still ]
watched the dying embers. Ten min
utes more had gone hr when suddenly
frightful shrek raE tarovss- .ks
another and another. I rush.